Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ranking every first overall pick in NBA history

By Christopher Jeter

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Miami Heat on November 18, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. 1969: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks

The innovator of the “Sky Hook”, Abdul-Jabbar is still arguably the greatest player in NBA history. Originally known as Lew Alcindor, the big man carved out one of the greatest college careers ever at UCLA before the Milwaukee Bucks took him with the number one pick.

It didn’t take long for Abdul-Jabbar to flash his skills as a scorer, defender, and passer, as he averaged 28.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists with 4.5 defensive win shares en route to winning the 1969-70 Rookie of the Year award.

The next season, the Bucks gave Abdul-Jabbar a suitable co-star in fellow former number one pick Oscar Robertson. Together, the two helped to Bucks win 66 games and sweep the Baltimore Bullets to win the franchise its only NBA championship. That season, Abdul-Jabbar led the league in scoring and won the first of his six MVP awards.

After saying that the midwest didn’t fit his cultural needs, the Bucks traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the remainder of his playing career. In 14 seasons in L.A., Abdul-Jabbar averaged 22.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks, winning the MVP three more times in 1976, 1977, and 1980.

Abdul-Jabbar was also known for his activism off the court; he famously boycotted the 1968 Olympics due to the unfair treatment of black people in the U.S. and has been a constant voice on issues pertaining to race and religion.